This was my major project for the last new moon, and with quite a few clear nights in a row, I decided to focus the whole time on the Antennae Galaxies - NGC 4038 & NGC 4039.
This is a fascinating pair of galaxies involved in an epic slow-motion collision. The 2 extensive tails of dust & stars ejected from their host galaxies resemble antennae, but there's also some fiery activity where the galaxies entangle and entwine causing lots of rapid star formation. This interaction has been well-studied as it may well resemble the fate of our own Milky Way when it collides with the Andromeda Galaxy.
Captured from my B7 backyard with a tad over 30hrs total integration (culled from around 35hrs total in 60sec subs). There were a few nights of excellent seeing which have helped reveal some pleasing detail. But even with the hefty integration, it was pretty hard to get those faint extents from my location, and a myriad of background galaxies are only just peeking through...
Stacking, LP removal in APP, processing in PI and final tweaks in LightRoom.
Larger version here
C14 non edge @f7 with the Starizona reducer LF
EQ8 pro
Asi2600mc pro gain 100
Asi220mm / celestron OAG
ZWO EAF
ASIAIR pro / APP / PI / LR
Comments and suggestions welcome. Thanks for looking!